DE602004000830T2 - Universal joint with thrust bearing for mounting the bearing bush - Google Patents

Description

The The present invention relates generally to a universal joint for Use in a motor vehicle powertrain. In particular The present invention relates to a universal joint with a mechanism for securing a bearing cup assembly to a cross-shaped pivot. A universal joint according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from WO 03/025410 A1.

As are commonly known in automotive powertrain applications Universal joints used to connect a pair of rotary shafts and doing changes in the angularity between them. Many conventional Universal joints contain a pair of fork yokes, which at the rotary shafts are attached. The yokes are through a turnstile or a cross-shaped Element so interconnected that they are independent axes can turn. The cruciform Contains element four orthogonal pivots, each opposing pair of axially aligned pivots is mounted in a pair of aligned holes, which are in the Fork yokes are formed. Typically, in every hole a bearing shell attached and in the bearing shell is a bearing assembly held, whereby each yoke is stored so that it is relative can turn to one of the pairs of trunnions. It is also known that between the trunnion and the bearing shell used a thrust washer can be used to absorb the radially directed thrust forces which can occur in between.

At the Assembly of the universal joint can Difficulties occur when attempting the bearing arrangements to connect with the fork yokes. Typically, the bearing assembly, the Thrust washer and the bearing shell each arranged on a pivot, but not sure attached to it. During assembly, the bearing shell and accidentally break the bearing assembly and move away from the Release pivot. Also The gravitational force can cause itself during assembly Loosen components. Possible Consequences are a contamination of the camp and a loss of productivity. In some cases will be additional Belts, nets or other packaging elements used to the Retain bearing shell arrangements during transport and handling. Such belts need then be removed and disposed of by the end user, what additional Time and cost caused. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a universal joint with bearing cup assemblies, the Held on the pivot without the use of external disposable devices become.

SUMMARY THE INVENTION

The The present invention relates to a universal joint for connecting a Pair of rotary shafts. The universal joint contains a pair of fork yokes, the by a cruciform Element are connected together. The cruciform element contains four orthogonal pivots, each of which has a lubricant passage Has. A thrust washer is engaged with a portion of the Trunnion to hold a bearing assembly on each pivot.

SHORT DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS

The The present invention will become apparent from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings are best understood, wherein

1 Figure 3 is a perspective view of a universal joint according to the principles of the present invention;

2 an exploded perspective view of the in 1 shown universal joint is;

3 a partially exploded perspective view of a pivot according to the invention and a bearing shell assembly is;

4 Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional partial view of a thrust washer-containing universal joint constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

5 a perspective view of in 4 shown thrust washer according to the teachings of the present invention;

6 a longitudinal sectional partial view of a universal joint, which is an alternative pivot and the pressure plate 4 contains;

7 Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a universal joint incorporating an alternative embodiment of the thrust washer and an alternative embodiment of the pivot;

8th a perspective view of in 7 shown pressure plate is;

9 Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the universal joint incorporating another alternative embodiment of a thrust washer constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; and

10 a perspective view of in 9 shown pressure plate is.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

in the In general, the present invention relates to such universal joints, as used in automotive powertrain applications, namely for connecting rotary shafts such that changes be admitted in the angularity between them.

In 1 and 2 becomes a universal joint 10 shown a first wave 12 with a second wave 14 combines. Generally contains the universal joint 10 a first yoke 16 that at one end of the first wave 12 is attached, a second yoke 18 at one end of the second wave 14 is attached, and a cross-shaped element 20 which is the first yoke 16 and the second yoke 18 connects with each other. The first yoke 16 is forked and includes a pair of laterally spaced legs 22 related to the axis of rotation of the first shaft 12 are preferably symmetrical, as indicated by auxiliary line "A." The legs 22 contain a gear-side surface (inboard surface) 24 and an outboard surface 26 between which there is a pin 27 extends. The openings 28 be formed by a pair of end caps 30 by means of connecting elements 31 to the thighs 22 be coupled. The end caps 30 work with the cones 27 together to the openings 28 to complete. The openings 28 are aligned on a first trunnion axis, as indicated by auxiliary line "Y", through the axis of rotation "A" of the first shaft 12 goes and is orthogonal to this.

The second yoke 18 is forked and includes a pair of laterally spaced legs 32 related to the axis of rotation of the second shaft 14 are preferably symmetrical, as indicated by auxiliary line "B." The legs 32 contain a transmission-side surface 34 and a wheel-side surface 36 between which there is an opening 38 extends. The openings 38 are aligned on a second trunnion axis, as indicated by auxiliary line "Z", through the axis of rotation "B" of the second shaft 14 goes and is orthogonal to this. The openings 38 are through holes with an annular groove 40 between the transmission side surface 34 and the wheel-side surface 36 is trained. It should be noted that the shape and size of the openings 28 and 38 may be either identical or different depending on the exact dimensions of the cross-shaped element used with them 20 , It should also be noted that the annular grooves 40 can be formed by machining, casting or similar techniques.

How best 2 can be seen, contains the cruciform element 20 a central hub 42 , from which a pair of first pivot 44 and a pair of second pivots 46 extend. The first pivot 44 are orthogonal to the second pivot 46 , The first pivot 44 are suitable, so in the openings 28 in the thighs 22 of the first yoke 16 being introduced to be axially aligned on the first trunnion axis "Y." Accordingly, the second trunnions are 46 suitable, so in the openings 38 in the thighs 32 of the second yoke 18 being introduced to be axially aligned on the second trunnion axis "Z." Are the first trunnions 44 and the second pivot 46 in the first or second yoke 16 respectively. 18 have been introduced, the pivot axes "Y" and "Z" through a common plane "C", which is the axis of rotation of the cross-shaped element 20 orthogonal cuts, as in 1 shown.

The universal joint 10 Also includes a first pair of bearing cup assemblies 48 that are suitable in the openings 28 to be attached and a second pair of bearing cup assemblies 50 that are suitable in the openings 38 to be attached. The first bearing cup arrangements 48 are for receiving and rotatably supporting the first pivot 44 in the openings 28 intended. Accordingly, the second bearing shell arrangements 50 for receiving and rotatably supporting the second pivot 46 in the openings 38 intended. For the sake of brevity, the following description is on the components of the first bearing cup assemblies 48 limited, since the corresponding components of the second bearing shell assemblies 50 are essentially identical.

3 - 5 put each bearing cup arrangement 48 with a bearing shell 52 , a pressure washer 54 , Roller bearings 56 , a sealing disc 58 and an elastomeric seal 60 dar. The bearing shell 52 is substantially hollow and cylindrical. The bearing shell 52 contains a substantially cylindrical tube segment 62 that is at one end with an end segment 64 closed is. The pipe segment 62 has an outer wall surface 66 and an inner wall surface 68 , The end segment 64 has an outer surface 70 and an inner surface 72 , The roller bearings 56 are between the inner wall surface 68 and an outer wall surface 74 of the pivot 44 arranged to allow relative rotational movement between the bearing shell 52 and the pivot 44 permit. The roller bearings 56 are aligned so that they are on an axis parallel to the axis "Y" of the pivot 44 rotate, and they are arranged around this axis. One end of each roller bearing 56 is stored so that it is on the storage area 76 rolls on a ring flange segment 78 the pressure disk 54 is trained. The opposite ends of the roller bearings 56 are from the sealing disc 58 taken up, which in turn of the seal 60 ge will hold. The seal 60 extends between the outer wall surface 66 the bearing shell 52 and the outer wall surface 74 of the pivot 44 to the roller bearings 56 to protect against contamination and lubricant in the bearing cup assembly 48 to keep.

How best in 4 and 5 Shown has the thrust washer 54 a disk segment 82 to which the annular flange segment 78 followed. A central opening 86 extends through the disk segment 82 and communicates with a lubricant passageway present in each pivot 92 , One on the central hub 42 of the cruciform element 20 attached fitting (not shown) communicates with the lubricant passage 92 , The fitting is used to pass 92 To supply lubricant and thus the roller bearings 56 to lubricate, and also to provide a lubricating film between the relatively movable surfaces.

The disk segment 82 has an outside surface 96 that the inner surface 72 the bearing shell 52 is facing and communicating with her. The disk segment 82 also has an inside surface 98 that is an end face 100 of the pivot 44 is facing and communicating with her. The inside surface 98 and the outside surface 96 are essentially parallel, so the disk segment 82 has a constant thickness. In addition, the thrust washer has 54 an inner peripheral wall surface 102 and an outer peripheral wall surface 104 passing through flange segment 78 are formed. The inner peripheral wall surface 102 is designed to be the outer wall surface 74 of the pivot 44 is facing. The outer peripheral wall surface 104 is in communication with the inner wall surface 68 the bearing shell 52 , Thus, the thrust washer has 54 the function, the bearing shell 52 and the pivot 44 align.

The inner peripheral wall surface 102 has a lip 106 extending radially inwardly therefrom. The lip 106 is a ring structure that has a localized opening 108 forms, which at the location of the lip compared to the remaining inner peripheral wall surface 102 has a smaller effective inner diameter. The lip 106 can either be designed as a seamless structure, as in 5 shown, or it may contain spaces between several lip sections. Each lip section has the in 4 shown cross-sectional features. The pivot 44 includes a radially outwardly extending ring located near its distal end 110 , The lip 106 is along the flange segment 78 arranged to match a section of the ring 110 to be engaged as soon as the thrust washer 54 and the bearing shell 52 in the in 4 shown installation position.

The pressure disc 54 contains a number of lubricant grooves 112 extending radially from the central opening 86 to the inner peripheral wall surface 102 of the flange segment 78 extend. The grooves 112 have a curved profile and form a cylindrical wall surface. The provision of an odd number of grooves 112 is preferable, wherein the grooves should be evenly spaced so that an equal number of pie-shaped sections of the disk segment 82 arises. In addition, on the pie-shaped sections of the disc segment 82 several dents or depressions 114 educated. The wells 114 may be arranged arbitrarily or preferably oriented so as to form two circumferential rows. The wells 114 are capable of absorbing lubricant and so on a large area of the trunnion end surface 100 to ensure continuous lubrication. In addition, the wells allow 114 that contaminants can be removed from the work surfaces and collected in them. In the bowl 52 is a cavity 116 is formed, is collected in the lubricant in a memory for use during operation of the universal joint. The pressure disc 54 consists of a resilient material such as injection-molded plastic.

When assembling the universal joint 10 become the first bearing cup arrangements 48 and the second bearing cup assemblies 50 mounted on the respective pivot. When installing the thrust washer 54 axially above the pivot 44 arranged. The lip 106 comes in a snap arrangement in engagement with the ring 110 , Because the lip 106 the pressure disk 54 Such a size has that nominal with the ring 110 comes into contact, at least a portion of the flange segment 78 deformed during installation. The flange segment 78 moves back as soon as the lip 106 The ring 110 happened. In this way, the pressure disk 54 and the roller bearings 56 on the pivot 44 recorded. One on the bearing shell 52 applied displacement or removal force is through the seal 60 resisted the axial load through the sealing disc 58 , the roller bearings 56 and the pressure disc 54 transfers.

6 illustrates a pivot in an alternative embodiment, denoted by reference numerals 44 ' is marked. The pivot 44 ' is essentially similar to the pivot described above 44 , Nevertheless, the pivot has 44 ' several projections 120 that instead of the ring 110 radially from the outer wall surface 74 protrude. The projections 120 are generally hemispherical. The projections 120 make sure that at least one ex cut the lip 106 the pressure disk 54 with the pivot 44 ' engaged. Accordingly, the first bearing cup assembly 48 axially on the pivot 44 ' recorded.

7 and 8th put a pressure washer 200 in an alternative embodiment. The pressure disk 200 is essentially the same as the pressure washer 54 , Therefore, only the main differences will be described below. The pressure disc 200 includes a radially inwardly extending ring 202 coming from the flange segment 78 projects. The distal end of an alternative pivot 44 '' has an annular groove 204 , The groove 204 has such an arrangement and size that it has the ring 202 the pressure disk 200 receives. The ring 202 is in the groove 204 attached as a snap connection, where the thrust washer 200 during the initial disposition over the pivot 44 '' is deformed. The flange segment 78 moves back to an undeformed state as soon as the ring 202 in the groove 204 entry.

9 and 10 show a thrust washer in a further alternative embodiment, denoted by reference numerals 300 is marked. The pressure disc 300 includes a plurality of radially inwardly extending ribs 302 , Ribs 302 are spaced along the circumference and on the wall peripheral surface 102 arranged.

The pressure disc 300 can with another alternative pivot 44 ''' operated, the standard continuous cylindrical shape with the outer wall surface 74 and the endface 100 Has. During installation of the thrust washer 300 on the pivot 44 ''' come the ribs 302 in engagement with the outer wall surface 74 of the pivot 44 ''' and cause the flange 78 opens or opens. Because the pressure washer 300 is made of a resilient material such as injection-molded plastic, comes the flange 78 biased into engagement with the outer wall 74 of the pivot 44 ''' to the bearing cup assembly 48 on the pivot 44 ''' hold.

If the bearing cup arrangements 48 and 50 on the pivot 44 and 46 have been mounted, the bearing cup assemblies in the leg openings 28 and 38 introduced. Subsequently, the cross-shaped element 20 centered, dynamically balanced and on the thighs 22 and 32 coupled. There are several methods of attaching the yokes 16 and 18 at the cross-shaped element 20 , One method becomes a snap ring 122 within an annular groove 124 attached, over the outer wall surface 66 the bearing shell 52 is trained. The snap ring 122 stands with the gearbox side surface 24 engaged to hold the bearing assembly. Alternatively, sections of the openings 28 surrounding wheel-side surface 26 be deformed, by means such as methods such as Verkerben or hammering to create limited areas, with the Außenendfläche 70 the bearing shell 52 engage. In another method, molten resin is injected into a passage extending between the leg and the bearing cup. The molten resin solidifies and thus holds in the leg opening the bearing shell. Yet another method of retention involves the use of protrusions (not shown) from the legs 22 protrude and can be deformed such that the snap ring with the outer end surface 70 the bearing shell 52 is engaged. One or more of these methods are disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Patent Nos. 6,280,335, 6,162,126, and 6,336,868.

moreover discloses and describes the above discussion by way of example only embodiments of the present invention. For one skilled in the art will be clear from this discussion, from the accompanying drawings and the claims readily apparent that various changes, modifications and deviations can be made without the scope of protection to leave the invention, as defined in the following claims is.

Claims (22)

Universal joint ( 10 ) comprising: a yoke ( 16 . 18 ) with a thigh ( 22 . 32 ), which has an opening extending therethrough ( 28 . 38 ) Has; a cruciform element ( 20 ) with a pivot ( 44 ), wherein the pivot has an end portion with an outer wall surface; a warehouse ( 56 ) rotatably mounted on the pivot ( 44 ) is arranged; and a pressure disc ( 54 ) with a substantially planar disc segment ( 82 ) and an annular flange ( 78 ), characterized in that the disk segment ( 82 ) is in engagement with the end surface of the pivot, and that the annular flange is in engagement with the outer wall surface of the pivot to the bearing ( 56 ) on the pivot ( 44 ) to keep. A universal joint according to claim 1, wherein the annular flange ( 78 ) an inner surface having a plurality of radially inwardly extending projections ( 302 ) which are engaged with the outer wall surface of the trunnion. A universal joint according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the outer wall surface has a substantially cylindrical portion, wherein the projections ( 302 ) biased into engagement with the in are substantial cylindrical section. A universal joint according to claim 3, wherein the bearing ( 56 ) is in engagement with the substantially cylindrical portion. A universal joint according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of protrusions ( 302 ) are arranged along the circumference and spaced from each other. A universal joint according to claim 1, wherein the end portion of the pivot ( 44 ) has a radially extending projection ( 110 . 120 ) and wherein the annular flange has a radially inwardly extending lip ( 106 ), wherein the lip is disposed in the immediate vicinity of the projection and thus opposes the removal of the pressure plate from the pivot. A universal joint according to claim 6, wherein the projection is a ring ( 110 ). A universal joint according to claim 6, wherein the projection comprises a plurality of spaced apart barbs (10). 120 ). A universal joint according to claim 6, wherein the lip ( 106 ) is in snap engagement with the projection. A universal joint according to claim 1, wherein the annular flange has an inner surface with a ring ( 202 ) extending inwardly therefrom, the ring being within an annular groove (14). 204 ) disposed on the end portion of the trunnion. A universal joint according to claim 1, wherein the annular flange ( 78 ) is at least partially deformed during the positioning of the thrust washer on the end portion of the pivot. Method for assembling a universal joint ( 10 ), comprising the steps of: arranging a warehouse ( 56 ) on a pivot ( 44 ) of a cross-shaped element ( 20 ), wherein the pivot contains a substantially cylindrical portion; Coupling a thrust washer ( 54 ) with the pivot ( 44 ), wherein the thrust washer is a substantially planar disc segment ( 82 ) and extending therefrom annular flange ( 78 ) contains; preloading engaging an inner surface of the annular flange with the substantially cylindrical portion of the pivot; and arranging a bearing shell ( 48 ) above the thrust washer and the bearing. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing the inner surface of the annular flange of the thrust washer (10). 54 ) with a projection extending radially outward from the substantially cylindrical portion of the pivot. The method of claim 13, wherein the inner surface of the annular flange has a radially inwardly extending lip (10). 106 ), which engages in the projection. A method according to claim 14, wherein the projection comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections (Fig. 302 ). The method of claim 14, wherein the projection is a ring ( 110 ) contains. The method of claim 12, wherein the thrust washer has a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs (Fig. 302 ) which engage in the substantially cylindrical portion of the pivot. Method according to Claim 12, in which the pivot has an annular groove ( 204 ) and the thrust washer has a radially inwardly extending projection (FIG. 202 ), wherein the projection engages in the groove to hold the bearing on the pivot. The method of claim 12, wherein the radially inwardly extending projection is a ring (10). 202 ). The method of claim 12, further comprising providing a seal (10). 60 ) with the bearing shell ( 52 ) and to arrange at least a portion of the seal near the bearing. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of placing the bearing shell (16) 52 ) over the thrust washer and the bearing prior to the step of coupling the thrust washer with the pivot. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing one end side of the substantially cylindrical portion of the pivot (10). 44 ) engage a surface of the disk segment.